Susan the 4Runner Build

Upon the request of my girlfriend, I am starting the build thread for her 2016 4Runner named Susan. Susan was named Susan after the color, Barcelona Red, that reminded her of a former coworker that was the whitest Mexican she knew. We know Barcelona is Spain and not Mexico, but Spanish is Spanish, so it is what it is.

We got Susan because she will do far better in the snow and adverse weather we have than the old Dodge Charger she had. Depending on how much camping we do, and after Susan gets her lift and tires, she could become a second, more comfortable trail ready rig than my truck. Able to get out into the woods and handle moderate trails with ease. A possible modular rtt system that could transfer from her to the truck could be in the future as well. But for now, she is an awesome rig and has some great potential.

Current-ish pic


The day we got her.
August 27 2017

Current specs

Suspension:
Stock

Wheels/ Tires:
Stock wheels
Stock size cooper all season

Armor:
Home made rock sliders

Lighting:
20" light bar behind lower valence
Led rock lights wired to dome light circuit

Other:
Blacked out badges, roof rack, and rims, tint

Future mods:
New rims w/ 33" tires
2.5" suspension lift



Ran broken arrow in Sedona before the first payment.


Shot of the blacked out rims

Light bar


And Rock sliders that just got mounted this weekend.




So here's the start to the build I suppose. I'll try to keep it updated, but don't expect too much excitement. Lift, wheels and tires should be on before winter hits in a few months.

 

Forgot to post a pic of her rock lights.

 

Nice 4Runner!

 

Thanks. Hopefully things will get more exciting in this build later this year. Gonna do a cheap suspension lift to clear bigger tires and see how much we end up using Susan vs my truck. The more we use her the more likely she will upgrade to kings later on

 

Sweet rig! Beautiful scenery in that first pic too, that’s a cool picture.

 

Not a truck mod, but this happened yesterday.

 

Tires and lift ordered. Should be installed the week after thanksgiving.

285/70/17 Hercules AT2 and since we are on a major budget, just a spacer lift to clear the tires for now.

 

2" lift and new tires installed. Susan is looking good! And damn she's as tall as the race truck lol.

 

Drinking and Amazon prime meant seat warmers for the fiancé xmas.



Then a storm rolling into town tomorrow meant getting at least the drivers side installed tonight.

 

Congratulations on your engagement!

 

Thanks man!!!

 

Dope 4rnr

 

Nice 4Runner! Congrats to you, your gf, and of course Susan.

 

Looking majestic with the dusting we got last night.

 

TRD faux grille for her bday paired with a nice camping/ wheeling trip this weekend.

 

What suspension setup you running? Any issues with lifting it like the Tacoma’s dreaded needle bearings?

 

Just did a budget spacer lift to help clear the tires for now. Probably do real suspension next year.

I haven’t heard of any needle bearing issues on these, and I know the Tacoma problem got fixed at some point and they are using a better bearing now. Big thing is to just watch cv angles when lifting, but unless you go above 3” lift, most people are fine.

 

How happy are you with the spacer lift? Any issues with bottoming our the shocks off road? The Tacoma’s allegedly got it fixed but they haven’t, they still have it.

 

No issues yet. Knowing what it is I’m not going to drive it hard off road, that’s what my truck is for.and if I do break something it just means I have to find money for Kings sooner than expected.

 

Right on man, I appreciate the info. Thanks!